Perilipin expression in human adipose tissue is elevated with obesity

Philip A. Kern, Gina Di Gregorio, Tong Lu, Negah Rassouli, Gouri Ranganathan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

103 Scopus citations

Abstract

The perilipins are highly phosphorylated adipocyte proteins that are localized at the surface of the lipid droplet. With activation by protein kinase A, perilipins translocate away from the lipid droplet and allow hormone-sensitive lipase to hydrolyze the adipocyte triglycerides to release nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Because of the potential importance of adipocyte lipolysis to obesity and insulin resistance, we measured perilipin protein and mRNA levels in nondiabetic subjects with varying degrees of insulin resistance. By Northern and Western blotting, we could detect perilipin A, but not perilipin B. Perilipin A protein and mRNA levels were quantitated and were highly correlated with each other. There was a significant positive relationship between perilipin expression and obesity (r = 0.55; P < 0.01, perilipin mRNA vs. percent body fat). However, there was no significant relationship between perilipin expression and blood NEFA, nor was there a significant relationship between perilipin expression and insulin resistance, using the insulin sensitivity index derived from the iv glucose tolerance test with minimal modeling. In addition, there was no significant relationship between perilipin and adipocyte or systemic inflammatory markers, such as TNFα, IL-6, and adiponectin. Thus, perilipin was elevated in obese subjects, perhaps as a compensatory mechanism to limit basal lipolysis. However, there was no relationship between perilipin and insulin resistance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1352-1358
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume89
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2004

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesR37DK039176

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
    • Biochemistry
    • Endocrinology
    • Clinical Biochemistry
    • Biochemistry, medical

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